Carolina Sevilla is the former Consul at the Consulate of Costa Rica in New York City, the former Minister Counsellor to the Security Council Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations. She is now the founder and managing director of 5minutebeachcleanup and the Director of Operations for BIONIC YARN.

Carolina studied International Human Rights Law and recieved her Masters in Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica and attended Universidad Federada Colegio Santo Tomas where she recieved a Master of Arts in Law - also in San José, Costa Rica.

She left her career in New York City to move back to Costa Rica to start an ocean clean-up initiative she named the 5 minute beach cleanup which she manages from her tree house on the beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica most months of the year or from San José in her home country of Costa Rica the rest of the time. Her videos have gone viral with over 22 million views - the global movement has over 30,000 followers.

Norma Bastidas was born in Mazatlan, Mexico into a large family. She went to Japan for a job as a model in order to make money to attend University as her family could not afford to pay her tuition. The modeling job turned out to be a scam and she became a victim of a human trafficking operation which took her years to extract herself from. With help from the members of a convent in Japan she left there and traveled to Canada where she met a man and was married.

She also had been sexually molested by a family member prior to leaving Mexico and the effect of the human trafficking and the sexual assault had caused her deep rooted problems. She used alcohol as a means of coping with these troubles from her past and soon her marraige ended.

When her son was diagnosed with a visual impairment she began running as a means to cope with the mounting stress in her life. She became such a great runner that she decided to use it as a means of bringing attention to the illness that had permanently affected her sons vision. The rest of her story is not only inspirational, but phenomenal.

Troublesome Patriarchal Dominance - Time For More Women in Positions of Power

Women from around the world that are living on the edge, doing something special, making a difference or generally in possession of a unique nature. In my book these women should be put in positions of power and allowed a chance to see what they would add to our world, instead of the men that promise blah-blah-blah and then fill their own pockets as well as the pockets of their buddies. The way I see it, any of this diverse group of women would be an improvement...

These are the kind of women that should be put in positions of power. They would make positive contributions with their time and resources and leave the world better for having been here. And not to mention the fact that they all certainly look far more appealing...

From century to century throughout history the men have ruled the roost in politics and business and relegated the home as the place where the women were to direct their attention and efforts. The women have done their job admirably, but the men have failed miserably in most cases. Their politics are corrupt and their businesses have turned into large greedy corporations. The patriarchal model is evidently not working so well - so maybe it's time to hand the reins over to the women. The wars and conflicts around the world are the result of male dominance in politics, and more often than not, are set in motion to benefit male controlled corporate interests. Turn on the evening news anywhere in the world and you'll see images of angry men in conflict and women and children in flight. It is time for change...

Women Of Substance - Interesting and Unique Women

Worldwide women are asserting themselves and taking charge of everything from the corporate boardroom to more artistic and unique positions in the world of art, design, cuisine and adventure travel. On the African continent women are raising themselves into postions of power in politics, the arts and business. Women are no longer to be kept within stereotypical confines and are no longer asking for empowerment, but are simply taking charge over their lives and the situations and events that affect them. Above are just three of these self empowered females.

When it comes to being on the front lines amidst the unrest that has been reshaping countries around the world, it is now women who are placing themselves at risk to bring news to the rest of us about not only the conflicts that mainstream media reports, but often to expose corruption and abuses that might well never surface if it wasn't for these women on the ground in these locations bringing these misdeeds to the attention of a worldwide audience. The women above are three - one from Tunis, one from London, and one from Cairo that played integral roles in bringing the world's attention to injustice.

As a global women's advocacy organization, WEDO envisions a just world that promotes and protects human rights, gender equality and the integrity of the environment. WEDO's mission is to ensure that women's rights; social, economic and environmental justice; and sustainable development principles, as well as the linkages between them are at the heart of global and national policies, programs and practices.

Started in 1915, when 1,200 women from a diversity of cultures and languages came together in The Hague during the First World War, to study, make known and eliminate the causes of war. They issued resolutions, sent out delegations to most countries engaged in the First World War and created our organisation: the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. WILPF for short.

W4 - Women's WorldWide Web is an online collaborative platform dedicated to empowering girls and women around the world, through education, microfinance, access to ICTs and networking. Connect with us and co-create opportunities for girls and women to thrive.

In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. In doing so, UN Member States took an historic step in accelerating the Organization's goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Kristin Espinasse is the American woman behind the blog French-Word-A-Day.com. Her personal essays make up the books "Words in a French Life" and "Blossoming in Provence." As a columnist at France Today, her back page "Dernier Mot" is read by Francophiles bimonthly. She lives in Provence with her French husband, their two children, and two golden retrievers. Sign up for her free word journal at www.french-word-a-day.com In her latest book of colorful photos and tender essays, Kristin shows us how she overcomes cultural "tests", always finishing with an "A" for amour de la vie!

Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion, birth control and reproductive rights for all women; end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society.

The Council of Women World Leaders is a network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers. The Council currently has 49 Members. The Council's mission is to promote good governance and enhance the experience of democracy globally by increasing the number, effectiveness, and visibility of women who lead at the highest levels in their countries.

The Women's Refugee Commission is having positive impact on the lives of displaced women, children and youth around the world. Their programs focus on reproductive health, economic livelihoods, displaced youth, asylum seekers and people with disabilities.

The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) is an international, non-profit organization of women graduates. We were founded in 1919 by women who believed in the importance of education and working together for peace, international understanding and friendship.

Women in the World is a movement dedicated to advancing women and girls through stories and solutions. The Women in the World Foundation is a powerful initiative dedicated to driving solutions that advance women and girls.See More...

International Museum of Women invites you to experience this innovative twenty-first century museum and be a part of advancing the lives of women around the world by participating in their global online exhibitions and supporting their efforts with a secure online donation!

A vibrant and global networking platform for women with family, cultural or professional ties to Turkey aspiring to excel in their careers, inspiring others and investing in the network... More